UnChain My Art

UnChain My Art raised over $12,000 for the Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi!

We had a great night as a group of lover's of the Guild. We celebrated, laughed, and smiled all night long!

See you guys next year!!

Spring is here and our craftsmen have gotten the fever. Several have been thrown in the slammer! They need you to help bail them out of the big house...and UnChain Their Art!

Introducing the Chain Gang

ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION OF POTTERY WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE

PRISONER PROFILE: Pickenpaugh Pottery has been made in Madison, MS for over 42 years. Robert and Merry Pickenpaugh started the business and the trade has been passed down to the next generation with their daughters Peyton, MerryCline and son-in-law, Patrick Coffey all contributing to the work in the gallery. Robert was one of the original members of the Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi.

BAIL OFFERING: Three of his signature "Flower Power" ceramic flowers to bring you peace and love!

Elaine Maisel

ARRESTED FOR PLUCKING THE FEATHERS OF PEACOCKS AT THE ZOO

PRISONER PROFILE: Elaine Maisel of Ridgeland is a very talented mixed-media artist. You will regularly find parrot, peacock, guinea fowl, and turkey feathers in her work. She paints feathers because the shapes, sizes and specific demands of feathers bring out her best in detailed, mindful, miniature work. Most of the feathers that she uses for her work come from small family farms that raise free-range fowl specifically for feathers that the birds have naturally dropped.

BAIL OFFERING: A large, framed, one-of-a-kind feather collage featuring a detailed painting of an octopus spread out over seven feathers and valued at $200.

Helene Fielder

ARRESTED SO SHE WOULD HAVE TO SHARE THIS "MUGS" SHOT

PRISONER PROFILE: Helene Fielder, who lives in Booneville, MS was born in Rive de Geir, France. She became a naturalized American citizen when she was 10 years old. Her path has led her through Ohio, Florida, Georgia, Arizona, Slovenia and Germany. While she had maintained a full time studio for the past eighteen years, her experience also includes teaching pottery, silversmithing, working in marketing, illustration and advertising. Her wish is that her work transfers life’s precious miraculous moments, which are her inspiration. Among her many honor, Helene was the Grand Prize Winner at the 2015 Chimneyville Crafts Festival sponsored by the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi.

BAIL OFFERING: Four handcrafted coffee mugs valued at $140

Wolfe Studio

ARRESTED FOR POSING AS A WOLFE IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING

PRISONER PROFILE: Taking the rap for this crime are Bebe Wolfe and Wendy Weddleman of Wolfe Studio. Karl and Mildred Nungester Wolfe started Wolfe Studio, Jackson, in 1946. After Karl’s death in 1984, Mildred was joined by their daughter Elizabeth (Bebe) Wolfe. They continued the studio practice together, producing paintings, mosaics, hand-pulled block prints, and ceramics, until Mildred’s death in 2009. Today, Bebe Wolfe is joined by other talented artists, like Wendy, to carry forward the Wolfe Studio ceramic tradition, creating elegant Nativity sets and the colorful and much loved Wolfe Birds.

BAIL OFFERING: There are two items...a large, handcrafted and painted pelican and a rooster. We will draw separately for each among those posting bail for Wolfe Studio.

Randy Walker

ARRESTED FOR ILLEGAL WIRE TAPPING

PRISONER PROFILE: This Brandon craftsman, Randy Walker, started weaving copper wire at the early age of 8. His first shapes—cars, animals, trees—quickly turned into jewelry. Randy has won many honors for his designs, including two “best of show” awards, and specializes in taking items of sentimental value to a person or family—buttons, coins, etc.—and incorporating them into rings, pins, earrings, even bridal tiaras.

Blanca Love

ARRESTED FOR GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE

PRISONER PROFILE: Clay artist Blanca who lives in Brandon, grew up in Bay St. Louis and the influence of the Mississippi Gulf coast is obvious in her subject matter. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts with emphasis in Ceramics from Mississippi State University and has been a member of the Guild since 2012. Along with creating herself, Blanca loves teaching the art of ceramics to people of all ages.

Sammy Long

ARRESTED FOR:"TURNING" TRICKS IN HIS WOOD STUDIO

PRISONER PROFILE: Greenville native, Sammy Long, has been turning wood for 20 years and joined the guild in 2009. Initially Sammy was trained to use a metal lathe and worked in the ship building industry. His pieces include decorative and functional bowls and hollow vessels. Many are embellished with piercing and carving. Sammy is president of the Magnolia Woodturners and one of his wood vases was awarded Best in Show at the 2015 Tennessee Woodturners’ Association Conference.

BAIL OFFERING: Hand turned walnut vase valued at $200

Susan Clark

ARRESTED FOR A KILLER SENSE OF HUMOR

PRISONER PROFILE: Susan, of Louisville, sculpts miniatures based on Southern people, places & events. She often takes her inspiration from the literature and photography of Eudora Welty. Susan describes her work as seeing the humor in life and putting it in clay—everyday, real-life situations and circumstances. Her sculptures are painstakingly created and, although small, they are so realistic that you can almost recognize them as people you know and places where you have been.

BAIL OFFERING: "The Tattoo Mother Never Knew I Had"

"My sculptures love to depict life in fun satirical ways! Elvis was popular in my childhood, and my sister was a devoted fan, so, I grew up surrounded by Elvis, though tattos were not the popular art venue of the day. I imagined someone devoted to Elvis and his music might have loved the idea of an "invisible" tribute to his greatness. So, I sculpted this lady to make that tribute from my imagination.

Debby DeLashmet

ARRESTED FORINTENTIONALLY BREAKING GLASS IN DEPARTMENT STORES

PRISONER PROFILE: Debbie took her first stained glass class so she could cover the lower half of the bathroom window without blocking the sunlight. She couldn’t find glass that she wanted, so she decided to make her own. At that time she was also making jewelry with wire and beads and eventually combined the two, creating what she calls embellished stained glass. She draws all her own patterns, inspired by the world around her. She enjoys making stained glass because of its combination of color, texture and sculpture… and because she hates curtains.

BAIL OFFERING: A colorful, one-of-a-kind mosaic platter.

Katie Clark

ARRESTED FORSTEALING NEEDLES IN A HAYSTACK

PRISONER PROFILE: Fiber artist, Katie Clark, learned to crochet from her mother. After learning the basic stitches, she continued to learn from books, diagrams, and experimentation. She is passionate about the rich tradition of crochet and loves the variety of techniques it offers with the simplicity of only a few stitches. She wants to pass the appreciation for this timeless art and the innovative possibilities of crochet on to other people. Katie has been a member of the Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi since 2013.

BAIL OFFERING: In exchange for helping pay my bail, you will have the chance to win a custom crochet baby sweater in the size and color of your choice (baby not included.)

Walter Montambault

ARRESTED FOR BEING A MASS MIRROR MURDERER WHO CUTS HIS VICTIMS INTO LITTLE PIECES

PRISONER PROFILE: Born in Munich German, Walter is a self-taught artist who draws much of his inspiration from places he has lived and traveled to throughout the world. Most of his panels take three to five weeks to complete. He feels what makes his work different from most mosaic glass work is that the panels look more like a painting when he's finished than mosaic glass on a board. He has been a member of the Guild since 2013.

BAIL OFFERING: Mosaic Sculpture

Winki Allen

ARRESTED FOR MAKING ALL OF HER STUDENTS DYE

PRISONER PROFILE: Winki's work has always been inspired and colored by nature. She works to recreate multi-layered organic images…whether hand painted, direct contact Eco-printing, shibori (both with organic indigo sugar vats or with eco materials) and eco-immersion dyeing . She had two silk painted “Othello” wraps accepted into the Internationally juried Convergence Runway Fashion Show and Exhibit in Providence, Rhode Island and a third piece accepted into the international yardage competition. Winki has served for two years on the Advisory Council for the MS State School of Human Sciences, Fashion Design & Merchandising Program. She has studied with renowned master dyers, Catharine Ellis from North Carolina, and India Flint from Australia. She continually explores the latest developments in the chemistry and processes of natural dyeing "My work is constantly evolving." She says. Winki has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Alabama is a Fellow member of the Craftsmen’s Guild.

Corley Marsalis

ARRESTED FOR STEALING CINDERELLA'S GLASS SLIPPER

PRISONER PROFILE: Corley, of Madison, is a multi-talented artist, works with glass for her beautiful mosaics, creates wood carvings to make molds and then resin casts them. Corley served in the Air Force for 22 years, along with her husband. They have two daughters and six grandchildren.

Jerry Hymel

ARRESTED FOR PERFORMING FACIAL PLASTIC GLASS SURGERY WITHOUT A LICENSE

PRISONER PROFILE: Jerry’s unique glass works range from angels to kaleidoscopes and windows. His ornaments have been featured on the White House Christmas tree! He has been a guild member since 1987.

BAIL OFFERING: A fanciful, one-of-a-kind abstract sculpture, pre-mounted on a wooden base--ready to display in your home or office!

Harold Miller

ARRESTED FOR LAYING HANDS ON THE "CHURCH LADIES"

PRISONER PROFILE: Harold Miller, of Brandon, is an award winning sculptor, potter and painter. He works in a variety of mediums from clay to wood. He combines his love of mixing mediums by blending clay sculptures and acrylic on panel. In addition to his own work, he loves to teach his craft to others. One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is teaching step-by-step programs that enhance the participants’ knowledge of the history and beauty of working with clay.

Alan Kolodny

ARRESTED FOR HAND "CUFFING" HUNDREDS OF WOMEN

PRISONER PROFILE: Alan, who lives in Pearl, has been a member since 2008. Alan learned to crochet and work in fine thread as a child. He even helped put himself through college and seminary by making and selling crocheted angels and other ornaments. He got interested in the dying art of tatting and took to it “like a fish out of water.” He has won nine blue ribbons at the Mississippi State Fair. In addition to his own work Alan likes to participate via the internet with a larger community of people all over the world who are striving to preserve the art of tatting.

He is currently taking his tatting into a new medium, by tatting in silver and 14k gold-filled wire. There are many people worldwide that have attempted to tat in wire with limited success. By developing some new techniques for working in metal he has successfully created a new form of tatting that is worked in fine silver/14k gold-filled wire, combining the elegance of tatted lace and the beauty of silver and gold.

Since beginning his work with wire, he has expanded into new fields, his work now includes wire wrapping, where the focus is on taking antique cameos, vintage bar pins, etc. and reworking them to bring their beauty into the 21rst century.

Pearl River Glass

ARRESTED FOR BREAKING THE GLASS CEILING

PRISONER PROFILE: Guild member since 1979, Andy Young is the owner and operator of Pearl River Glass Studio. He has truly dedicated his life to the idea that stained glass is the most expressive of all artistic media. He has received many awards for his work, including the Governor’s Artist Achievement Award. His designs in stained glass can be seen at churches throughout the state, as well as in private collections.

BAIL OFFERING: This Kiln formed glass bowl has high design quality while at the same shows the spontaneous creativity Pearl River Glass Studio strives to achieve. The piece created by Shannon Valentine breaks new ground in the Pearl River Glass style of creating beauty and order out of chaos. Retail value is $300.

Dorinda Evans

ARRESTED FOR SHOPLIFTING IN FABRIC STORES

PRISONER PROFILE: A prolific quilter with over 250 quilts to her credit, Dorinda also loves to teach her craft. “I love helping other people develop a passion for quilting. I like my students to experience the creative use of color and design while striving for excellent technique.” Dorinda started quilting at age 9, but reacquainted herself with the art after her children were grown. She is a member of numerous region and national quilting associations and guilds, has been featured in prestigious local and national exhibits and the recipient of numerous regional and national awards.

BAIL OFFERING: “Spring is in the Air” Bluebirds and cherry blossoms welcome spring on a woven background of four different fabrics. This wall hanging has been quilted with flowers of variegated pink thread. With a sleeve attached, it is ready to hang on your wall or grace your table THIS spring! Retail value $150.

Lyle and Patricia Wynn

ARRESTED FOR GETTING HAMMERED AND PLAYING WITH FIRE

PRISONER PROFILE: Eighteen years ago, Lyle received his grandfather's blacksmithing tools from his uncle, and he immediately started searching for someone to teach him how to use the tools. He then joined the Mississippi Forge Council and hit the ground running. Lyle's work is done the traditional way using a forge, coal and anvil. His wife Patricia, joined him to form a studio in 2014 (Patricia does copper work). She hand-cuts her pieces of copper, uses a torch to braze her work together, and then adds color to her work with a torch in a method called torch-painting. Both artists say there is something about seeing the metal get hot and how they can make it change shape that drives them in our work. Lyle also teaches students from around the world the art of tool making to continue the trade and to pass his knowledge on. They live in Brandon.

BAIL OFFERING: The trivet is made from 1/4 X 1/2" steel flat bar. 3 forged C-scrolls with traditional joinery. The copper bracelet is made from 1/2" copper tubing using air chasing to create the design. Combined value $225.

Mark Brown

"BUSTED" WHEN HE TEMPORARILY LOST HIS HEAD

PRISONER PROFILE: Mark, a full-time art instructor at Jones County Junior College, became a member of the Guild in 2015. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Mississippi State University and his of Master of Art Education with a studio emphasis in sculpture from the University of Southern Mississippi. Before Jones County Junior College, Mark taught in Gulfport and Stone County, USM and as an Education curator at the Lauren Rogers Museum in Laurel.

Debi Lane

ARRESTED FOR COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT FOR REPEATEDLY SAYING "YOU'RE FIRED" TO HER CLAY ART

PRISONER PROFILE: I draw my inspiration from the soul. My mood and feelings at any moment will bring up lines, designs and function in my mind so that I regularly stop and sketch out quick renderings of for later review. I also draw a lot of inspiration from nature and the perfect imperfections that live within it.

BAIL OFFERING: There will be two winners among Debi's bail benefactors. She is offering two of her unique, bisque fired clay platters. One is valued at $75 and the other at $85.

How It Works:

Every $10.00 spent towards an artists bail is one entry to win the last piece the craftsman created before getting locked up. You can enter to win with as many craftsmen as you'd like, or put your eggs all in one basket. The top 3 craftsmen get prizes too for raising the most bail money.

Use this time as your opportunity to join the Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi as a Friend and receive some awesome perks with your donations as well as the opportunity to win beautiful one-of-a-kind works of art.

Join us Thursday, April 7 at 5:30pm at the Mississippi Craft Center in Ridgeland for the UnChain My Art Celebration where the prisoners will be freed...and so will their art. (Winners determined by drawing. You do not have to be present to win.)

You don't have to join as a Friend, but why not? We are offering a limited time opportunity to make this years Friends membership packages even sweeter by allowing you to divy up your membership among our jail bird craftsmen and entering to win prizes! Just fill out the information in the form at the end of this page and then choose how you will divide your total donation towards your chosen artist(s). Here's how the Friends memberships break down:

Creative Partner ($1000)

Etched tile with your name in lobby of MS Craft Center for a year; Four (4)tickets to Chimneyville Preview Party; 20% discount off classes, camp, gallery merchandise and venue rental; Friends window decal

Something Else ($0-$99)

Thanks to our benefactors:

The mission of the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi, Inc., is to preserve, promote, market, educate and encourage excellence in regional crafts, believing that regular contact with the skilled work of the hand enhances both producers and patrons’ lives.